The Premier League, The FA, and Government’s Football Foundation are increasing efforts to improve the quality of grassroots pitches in England with the launch of the new Football Foundation Groundskeeping Community app.

The app will provide a new platform, through the learning platform HIVE, to offer expert adive for grounds staff. It will enable them to connect with peers, discover new tips and tricks, and share advice on best industry practice.

The Football Foundation Groundskeeping Community app will allow users to seek guidance and advice from the IOG’s (Institute of Groundsmanship) Regional Pitch Advisors, who will be available to answer questions and update members on any changes to industry standards.

Access to the app will be entirely free and will feature regular new content, including videos from high-profile groundskeepers, such as Wembley Stadium’s Karl Standley, case studies, and the latest in groundskeeping techniques.

The app has been developed in partnership with the Institute of Groundsmanship and is run through Hive Learning, Europe’s leading peer learning platform, the site represents the latest step of the Football Foundation’s Grass Pitch Programme, which aims to ensure every affiliated football fixture in England is played on a quality football pitch. 

The Football Foundation is a charity dedicated to improving the facilities infrastructure across grassroots football. Since its commencement, it has delivered over £780m of facility improvements across 1600 projects. The scope of those developed range from modest repairs and improvements through to multi-million pound projects.

Karl Standley, Wembley Stadium Head Groundsman said: “Whether it’s Wembley or your local community football pitch, groundkeepers all face the same challenges.

“I think it’s great that we can now all come together on this new platform to share these challenges and help each other find solutions. We are all aware of the importance of improving the state of pitches in this country and this is a great step to making a long-lasting difference.” 

Geoff Webb, IOG CEO said: “This is the culmination of over five years of work within our partnership with both the Football Foundation and The FA via the Grounds and Natural Turf Improvement Programme and will complement the invaluable pitch-maintenance service that the Regional Pitch Advisors provide for volunteers at grassroots football clubs. 

Dean Potter, Director of Grant Management at the Football Foundation, said: “The majority of community football is played on grass pitches and it’s a priority for us that we are able to sustain this.”

“We know how important football facilities are in transforming lives and bringing communities together and this platform will enable us to build a new groundskeeper community that will provide huge benefits for people across the country.” 

For more information, go to: http://thefa.hivelearning.com/groundskeeping

To find out more about groundskeeping and facility management in Worcestershire, email: martin.collier@worcestershirefa.com